I don't backpack. I do hike, but I don't carry my overnight gear/food with me. But lately I've been thinking I might want to ease into that. 

So I'm thinking a one day 5 mile hike out. Sleep out in the wilds, then hike back out the next day. Then work up to 2 days. 

Tent+Sleepingbag+pad = 10 lbs. Food and food gear = 4 lbs. Extra clothes 1 lb. So, 15lbs. Can I carry 15lbs 5 miles? That's like the weight of 2 gallons of milk. Oof. Maybe this isn't THAT much in a good backpack? Dunno.

I already have a route picked out for my trial run. It will start in Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Gardners PA.  I will hike the Appalachian trail to Toms Shelters, via the Camp Michaux historical site/ruins. That's like 4 miles. Which really is only 2 or so hours of walking. ... Maybe if I'm not dead from that, I'll keep going to the Birch Run Shelter. That would be 10 miles total.  And then hike back out the next day. 

Ideally, I will sleep in the shelter and not pitch my tent. So I'm planning to go to REI and buy a tiny/light/just-in-case tent. Guess I should get a backpack and sleeping pad too while I'm at it. (I have 4 or 5 sleeping bags already)

I'm thinking April 11ish - before the heat and the bugs and the crowds arrive. I wonder if I can get in "carry 15 lbs & hike 5 hours" shape by then? 

Anyway, it's nice to dream.